Were 3 in 4 staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently laid off?

Though NOAA experienced a significant staff reduction, with two rounds of firings since February, a liberal estimate of affected employees indicates that about 1,900 of 12,000 employees, or 16%, were laid off. 

On February 27, more than 500 probationary employees were fired, according to the national president of the National Weather Service Employees Organization, with a congressional statement estimating the number to be at least 880. Another 500 reportedly resigned. 

On March 12, the Associated Press reported that another round of firings had occurred, affecting 1,029 employees, which was stated to be 10% of the staff at the time. 

The budget proposal from the Office of Management and Budget for fiscal year 2026 would cut NOAA’s funding by $1.5 billion. 

Almost half of NWS field offices, which are responsible for issuing warnings during storm outbreaks, have vacancy rates of 20% or more. 

Oklahoma experienced a record number of tornadoes in 2024.